A deaf-blind man uses one-handed tactile-sign-language to learn about the activities going on around him at the AzADB Yard Sale.

Individual Support Services Provider or SSPs: Individual Support Services (SSPs) are para-professionals who are specially trained and then matched with various individuals who are deaf-blind to assist them to overcome the obstacles of communication access, visual and auditory information access and safe and efficient travel in the community.

Persons who are deaf-blind need various levels of support to safely and sufficiently accomplish various activities in the community, including: conducting personal business, employment, education, socialization, recreation, civic rights and responsibilities (e.g.: voting), and even some the most basic survival needs of shopping for food and going to doctors.

Support for the deaf-blind entails, among other things, assisting the person to effectively:

• Access clear communication channels that meet individual needs
• Access and augment visual and auditory information inherent to the situation or activity
• Travel safely and efficiently in various environments
• View items tactually when vision is unavailable

The individual support services that are generally provided are unique and specifically tailored to meet the individual access needs of a person living with deaf-blindness. The services are usually provided at the para-professional level thus helping to keep the costs of the service provision low. These individual support service providers have particular skills and specialized training in order to ensure that an individual living with deaf-blindness can access information. Generally the focus is on access to communication, access to visual and auditory information, and assistance with safe and efficient travel through varying environments.

Below are a few comments from Deaf-Blind individuals who have been fortunate enough to receive SSP services:

"The SSPs have saved my life because now I can go out of my house to do my shopping without waiting on my older sister who is not always reliable or helpful."

"I love SSPs because they know how to guide me, sign to me, and drive me places."

"SSPs help me with my grocery shopping because I cannot see what's on the shelves or know if I am getting the correct change back from the cashier."

"SSPs are kind and helpful."

"I trust my SSP more than my own family members."

"SSPs give me information about what is happening around me so that I know what is going on out there beyond my arms reach."

Unfortunately, the resources for this type of service provision are minimal in Tucson and in Phoenix. Even worse it is virtually non-existent in most other areas of Arizona. Deaf-Blind individuals mainly need to rely on family members and friends to obtain access to information, communication situations, and the community at large. More often than not they just end up going without and remain isolated, shut in and deprived of community inclusion.

The Arizona Association for the Deaf-Blind (AzADB) and Community Outreach for the Deaf (COPD) work hand-in-hand at providing Individual Support Services Providers (SSP) to Deaf-Blind individuals. SSPs are employed by COPD or are provided on a volunteer basis with AzADB. They complete an 8-hour training program conducted by COPD. Through the SSP the Deaf-Blind individual is able to make informed choices and decisions thus meeting community access and inclusion needs. COPD has provided SSPs so that members can access the community to meet their survival needs for independent living and on occasion for recreation and leisure purposes.

We are forever grateful and indebted to the Community Outreach Program for the Deaf (COPD)! Without the support of COPD in the areas of Advocacy, Assistive Technology Provision and Individual Support Service Providers (SSPs), we would not be able to meet as a group and progress the work of the organization. In addition COPD has provided SSPs so that members can access the community to meet their survival needs for independent living and on occasion for recreation and leisure purposes.

A deaf-blind man uses tactile sign language to access a meeting.

Emergency SSP Services Project:

The Arizona Association for the Deaf-Blind has established a fund and a process so that individual members who are deaf-blind can obtain SSP services for emergency situations. Funding for this program is sorely needed and donations may be designated specifically to this program upon request.

A deaf-blind woman uses a portable Screen-Braille Communication Device to have a conversation with a her hearing-sighted SSP at the AzADB Holiday Party.

Testimony 3:

I can honestly say that being a visually/ hearing impaired person in Phoenix has worked out just fine for me. I use Phoenix dial a ride for much of my transportation. Nothing stops me from living life to the fullest.  Another great resource is Valley Center of the Deaf.  They are extremely helpful and treat people with great care and compassion. One awesome service I have been taking advantage of is the SSP providing help in so many ways to improve my independence. Basically every Friday my awesome SSP is available to me for 2 hours to do whatever needs to be done ...from shopping help, to assist with paperwork, threading a needle...she is more than helpful.  I am very grateful for this service. In short...she is there to be my eyes and ears,...what phenomenal human beings SSPs are, absolutely God sent !!!

As for challenges I encounter, being a single woman in Phoenix deaf/blind...ah, hmmm let me think a little. OK, not just in Phoenix anywhere, my biggest challenge is trying to communicate in places where there is background noise. I would love to be more social, I am a people person. At the workplace I had a tough time making others understand I did not need so much louder ...just slower and clearer. I feel it is much easier to cope with blindness than not being able to understand what people are saying. I can use a CCTV to read, but for me, there is nothing to improve my hearing disorder. The choice is mine...stress over it or get over it . I chose to get over it and enjoy every minute God has given me. When you take a positive approach to your disability you develop insight and compassion for others. I look at this as a blessing. --Ann